Area roundup: Sterling’s Rodriguez named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year as Nebraska’s libero

Former Sterling volleyball standout Lexi Rodriguez was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year on Wednesday, after starting all season at libero for Nebraska as a true freshman.

Rodriguez averaged 4.46 digs and 1.12 assists per set this season, while also serving 14 aces. She had at least 15 digs in 16 matches, and had 20 or more digs in a match seven times. She is just the second player in Nebraska history to earn Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors – Justine Wong-Orantes won it in 2015 & 2016 – and just the second freshman in Big Ten history to win the award, along with Minnesota’s Paula Gentil in 2002.

Rodriguez was one of three Cornhuskers named first-team All-Big Ten, along with Madi Kubik and Lauren Stivrins; it’s the sixth straight season Nebraska has had at least three first-team all-conference players. Rodriguez is the fourth Husker to earn All-Big Ten honors as a freshman; Meghan Haggerty (2012), Kadie Rolfzen (2013) and Kubik (2019) are the others.

Rodriguez was a unanimous pick to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team; she was joined on that squad by Nebraska teammate Lindsay Krause.

Rodriguez was also named Big Ten Freshman of the Week this week for the fourth time in the 10-week regular season, and she added two Defensive Player of the Week honors as well.

Girls basketball

Rock Falls 33, Rochelle 20: The Rockets built a 23-9 lead by halftime and never looked back in a nonconference win at Tabor Gym.

Rylee Johnson led a balanced attack for Rock Falls with eight points, while Jacee Sigel and Mallory Pinske added six points each, and Emily Lego finished with five. Eight different Rockets scored in the game.

Zoey Tabor led Rochelle with seven points, and Josie Lundquist added five.

Warren 37, Milledgeville 29: The Missiles led 10-3 after the opening quarter and 16-10 at halftime, but were outscored 25-13 in the second half of an NUIC loss on the road.

Rylee Matthews and Olivia Schurman both scored 11 points for Milledgeville, with Matthews adding six rebounds. Kylee Jensen pulled down nine rebounds.

Adalynn Bohnsack led the Warriors with 12 points.

Forreston 28, Pearl City 26: The Cardinals outscored the Wolves 13-9 in the fourth quarter to pull out an NUIC win at home.

Nevaeh Houston had nine points and three rebounds for Forreston, while Brooke Boettner added eight points, six rebounds, three steals and two assists. Hailey Greenfield and Alaina Miller both finished with five points; Greenfield also had four rebounds, two assists and two steals, and Miller added five rebounds and three assists. Keeli Larson chipped in seven rebounds, four blocks and a pair of steals for the Cardinals, who trailed 5-0 after the first quarter, then led 8-7 at halftime.

Cheyenne Handsaker’s 10 points paced Pearl City, which led 17-15 heading into the fourth quarter.

Boys basketball

Eastland 46, Stockton 43: The Cougars opened their season with an NUIC road win, rallying from a 22-17 halftime deficit.

Kellen Henze had 21 points for Eastland, which outscored the Blackhawks 17-11 in the fourth quarter to complete the comeback. Andy Anderson added eight points.

Caleb Mammoser’s 14 points led Stockton, while Dustin Oppold added 12 and Ian Broshous scored 11.

Boys bowling

St. Bede 3,255, Sterling 3,172: The Golden Warriors won the opening game, but lost the last two games in a nonconference loss at Blackhawk Lanes.

Tristan Oelrichs finished off his 599 series with a 222 third game, and Ethan Melcher added a 554 series for Sterling. Brenden Stanley rolled a 554 series, Mikah Hernandez had a 505, Andrew Doughty bowled a 500, and Dylan Doss added a 490.

Trenton Acuncius bowled games of 266, 220 and 279 to finish with a 765 series for the Bruins.

Girls bowling

St. Bede 2,474, Sterling 2,142: The Golden Warriors stayed close, but dropped all three games in a nonconference dual at Blackhawk Lanes.

Hannah Conderman led Sterling with a 424 series, while Katelynn Garcia (408) and Brendy Gatica (403) also rolled 400+ series. Madison Schmitt (321), Emily Doss (308) and Adriana Jenkins (278) also bowled for the Warriors.

Veronica Martin led the Bruins with a 506 series.

Wrestling

Newman sweeps home triangular: The Comets defeated Amboy 69-0 and Putnam County 51-21 in a pair of duals in Sterling.

Brady Grennan (120 pounds), Carter Rude (126), Brendan Tunink (145), Mason Glaudel (152), Nick Nardini (220) and Hayden Witt (285) all won by pin against Amboy, and Thomas Powers added an 8-5 decision at 160.

Powers (160) had Newman’s only pin against Putnam County, with Nardini (220) adding a 2-0 decision. The Comets received seven forfeits.